A New Life — Une nouvelle vie

by Béa

Hazelnut Carrot Cupcakes
hazelnut spiced carrot cupcakes

Hazelnut and Carrot Cupcakes

What can I say? Your words have been amazingly touching and good to read, overwhelming us with joy. Thank you are two words rather weak to describe how we feel about what you said.

Really, merci.

So yes, life has been good over the past two weeks. Tremendously changed too, as anticipated. Our little L. made it happen this way. We’ve created a home nest that’s brought incredible joys, fun, play times, laughter — and lack of sleep too. These puffy ones? These are mine! My dear parent friends, I understand what you were talking about…

We truly can spend hours staring at L., observing her facial expressions when she naps, eats or gets changed — my favorite ones are when she smiles with her eyes closed or when she purses her lips. Irresistible.

Our friends? They’ve also been wonderful. They’ve brought us food on many occasions, like delicious spiced meat balls, homemade applesauce, fennel salad, soup and duck. We’ve also eaten some of the dishes I had cleverly frozen prior to L.’s arrival: last night we relished on a dish of comfy pumpkin lasagna. And I must say, food has not tasted that good in a long time; we enjoy eating much more slowly, appreciating every single bite we put in our mouth.

I thought I was not going to cook at the beginning after L’s birth. I had been told that like many, I would find it hard to. But despite the general tiredness, it made me really feel good to do so: the call in me was just stronger.

So I cooked, because my body is craving nutritious foods even more so; because we new parents need to, and because I want L. to grow strong and healthy.

I made a few dishes of slow cooked tajines, nutritious salads, simple vegetables soups, sweet apple clafoutis — and I baked cookies, granola and many types of muffins too. Snacks during pregnancy were a must — they are even more so during breastfeeding times. I enjoy them during the day, and at night, when the house is filled with silence and P. and I are taking care of L.’s needs.

Yesterday’s morning, as we lay in bed for a family nap, we kept wondering whether this was really all happening. We kept staring at the little one cozily nested between us, and we felt overwhelmed and warm inside. The house sounded particularly quiet, perhaps because of the snow that had kept piling outside. As the sun was generously out, I was looking forward to taking a short walk to the park, to feel the cold wind brushing against my skin awaken my senses. The park was like a magnificent white playground: it felt good to be there.

Upon my return, I was filled with a rush to bake.

Don’t ask.

Between feeds, I decided to make hazelnut carrot cupcakes.

I did not really know where the recipe was going to take me. I simply let it happen, naturally. I used carrots, nutritious flours like hazelnut, quinoa and amaranth, Muscovado sugar, eggs, olive oil, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and plain yogurt to add moistness to the baked goods.

Sometimes, I simply know that some ingredients will work together, that they will be right when combined.

We loved the end result. These cupcakes are lovely to enjoy as a snack, or eaten for breakfast.

Et moi ? I was happy to have a new healthy snack to feed the many hungry times I have during the day. The icing was for the visual fun, for those of you with a sweeter tooth — I personally prefer them plain.

spiced carrot cupcake

Hazelnut and Carrot Cupcakes

(For 12 cupcakes)

You need:


For the cupcakes:

  • 3 carrots, peeled and grated finely
  • 1 cup quinoa flour
  • 3/4 cup hazelnut flour
  • 3/4 cup amaranth flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts (or walnuts)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/3 cup plain cream-like whole milk yogurt
  • 3/4 cup packed brown Muscovado sugar


For the clementine icing:

  • 3.5 oz confectioner’s sugar
  • A few drop of lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • Juice of a clementine
  • Decoration sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven at 350 F. Prepare a muffin pan filled with paper cases; set aside.
  • In a bowl, combine the flours, baking powder, baking soda; set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the eggs with the sugar. Add the yogurt and oil and mix well.
  • Combine in the dry ingredients, the carrots and spices. Add the chopped nuts.
  • Divide this batter between the molds and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool.
  • Prepare the icing by combining all ingredients. Spread a small amount on top of each cupcake. Add decoration sugar and let cool completely.
Le coin français
Cupcakes aux noisettes et aux carottes

(Pour 12 cupcakes)

Ingrédients :


Pour les cupcakes:

  • 3 carottes, pelées et râpées finement (180 g)
  • 125 g de farine de quinoa
  • 75 g de farine de noisettes
  • 80 g de farine d’amaranth
  • 1 càc de cannelle en poudre
  • 1/4 càc de muscade en poudre
  • 3 eggs
  • 120 ml d’huile d’olive
  • 50 g de noisettes (ou de noix) hachées grossièrement
  • 1 càc de poudre à lever
  • 1/2 càc de bicarbonate de soude
  • 80 g de yaourt nature velouté
  • 125 g de sucre de canne roux (Muscovado)


Pour la glaçage à la clémentine :

  • 100 g de sucre glace
  • Quelques gouttes de jus de citron
  • 3 càs de crème liquide
  • Jus d’une clémentine
  • Sucre de décoration

Etapes :

  • Préchauffez le four à 180 C. Préparez un moule à muffin et remplissez chaque alvéole d’une caissette en papier.
  • Dans un bol, mélangez les farines, la poudre à lever et la bicarbonate de soude; mettez de côté.
  • Dans le bol de votre mixeur, battez les oeufs avec le sucre. Ajoutez le yaourt et l’huile jusqu’à ce que l’ensemble soit homgène.
  • Ajoutez les carottes, les épices et le reste des ingrédient secs (farines et noix).
  • Divisez entre les caissettes et enfournez pendant 30 à 35 minutes, ou jusqu’à ce que la pointe d’un couteau insérée eu milieu d’un cupcake en ressort sèche. Laissez refroidir.
  • Préparez le glaçage en mélangeant tous les ingrédients (la consistance est épaisse mais reste fluide pour bien se répartir). Etalez 1 càs de glaçage sur chaque cupcake et ajoutez le sucre de décoration. Laissez refroidir complètement.
Posted in Breakfast, Cakes, Dessert, Gluten Free, Life and Us

112 comments

  2. You know we only have babies so at the end of the day we can stand and stare and them while they sleep and think how wonderful the world is. 🙂 I’m so glad you are enjoying motherhood Bea.

  3. She is such a darling! Great to see you are all enjoying the benefits of parenthood. Oh! and the cupcakes look delicious (as usual).

  4. i love the shot of the two of you, nose to nose, with your hand cradling lulu’s little head…very beautiful and evocative

  6. You’re little girl is absolutely beautiful. What a blessed day for her to be born on. May she live a truly healthy, happy and propserous life. These are beautiful moments to share with your infant and it seems you are enjoying every bit.
    Congratulations!

  7. Loved the pictures, loved the reading, loved Lulu, loved everything in this post. I can read your joy and love between the lines.
    Laurie
    PS: Lulu’s wool hood is totally irresistible!!!

  8. How absolutely beautiful. As a parent of three I relish in the times when they are asleep when I can tiptoe in the bedrooms and just watch them sleep in their pure innocence. Thank you for reminding how precious that time is and how wonderful parenthood is.

  9. Ooh – you all look so happy and content! Congratulations again, you have been blessed with a beautiful little girl!

  11. yes, we do have a renewed appreciation for food after our babies are born. Food brought by others tastes like gold. We are so hungry for something and it feels so good because someone made it just for us. Enjoy this special time in your life. There is none other like it.

  13. awwww…

    I am a long time fan of your website and I just had to say that I am so happy for you and yours. Happy new year and many to come!

    Did I say awwww? Because she is adorable!

    Vincent

  14. this is just so darling–your photos, your descriptions, your words… i love reading your blog and your many amazing recipes, too. thanks so much. you are an amazing woman!

  15. Felicitations sur la naissance de votre petite Lulu. Elle est adorable! Glad to hear you are still cooking and baking. Take it easy and enjoy every moment.

  17. Congratulations on your baby. I’m so happy for you 🙂
    such a wonderful baby !!

  18. So glad you’re having such a great time. Thanks for taking the time to post. I took the liberty of dedicated our New Year’s Eve dinner to you and Lulu – presenting your Potato Nests with Crab and Apple Topping. Results shown here – thanks for inspiring the theme of our dinner.

  21. Your baby is not even a month old and you are up and about already! You are truly an inspiration Bea. I’m going to have a baby in March and I really dont know how long a break im going to take.

  23. Quelle jolie demoiselle! Pleine de vie, déjà. Et les parents en ont l’air gaga, bien sûr ,)
    Je vois que l’appel des fourneaux a été le plus fort, pour notre plus grande joie ; c’est génial d’imaginer une recette et de voir que le résultat est délicieux! Celle-ci ne déroge pas à la règle, apparemment!

  25. I’m moved to tears, really. Congratulazioni and have a nice time Bea!

  26. Bea,
    Its amazing to read this post.i can really feel ur happiness to be a mother.its beautiful. To see ur pictures with ur dearest baby Lulu.. I cant stop to smile.. Thanks 4sharing this happiness with all of us.
    Love ur cupcake also 🙂

  27. Ce billet est pur plaisir…. des photos toutes empreintes de bonheur. Félicitations et jolie vie à Lulu !

  28. Votre bonheur à tous fait plaisir à voir ! ces photos reflètent un réel sentiment de plénitude !

  31. Il est toujours intéressant de te lire et, surtout, de constater à quel point la petite Lulu vous rend heureux. Et ces petits muffins en prime me donnent le goût d’en faire.

  33. Stunning post, the winter pictures are beautiful, you are all so lovely and it sounds so perfect and cozy and your smile well contagious for sure, lulu you have a very special maman!

  34. I want to eat her up as much as those muffins. Beautiful! I love the photo of Lulu in that little white hoodie.

  35. It’s really so nice to read about your joy.. what bliss Lulu brings you both!

    A word of caution Bea: You ought to take care, having just had a baby. Make sure you’re properly wrapped up and warm when you’re out in the cold.. (it’s a no no for us Asians going out into the cold!).. and yes, eats lots of healthy and nutritous food for yourself and Lulu. And remember to rest too.. don’t tire yourself!

    And lastly, your pics of the winter wonderland park is so so dreamy.. ahhhh.. if only I’m there!

    Congrats once again!
    Angela KL

  36. oh, she’s a beauty, your little. you must be real proud mommy and daddy. and that carrot muffin… i can have some of those too :o) Congrats again.. Enjoy every moment you have because they grow up real fast.. hehehe

  39. Très jolies scènes de votre nouvelle vie à 3. Je comprends très bien ce que tu dis sur l’envie de te remettre à cuisiner. Quand on aime ça, on trouve le temps même avec un tout petit bébé! Ce qui m’impressionne plus, en revanche, c’est le temps que tu trouves aussi pour photographier, trier et publier photos et articles!!! Merci de partager avec nous tout cela, c’est superbe.
    Bonne année et bonne santé à tous les 3
    Amitiés,
    Chrystel

  40. Hi Bea
    Baby L looks so cute. You know, this year I plan to have a baby too, but sometimes I am so terrified about it. I think I will not have time or energy for anything else at all. Reading your stories with bebe make me feel more at ease. Have a wonderful 2009.

  41. Congratulations for new year and for your baby is so cute¡¡¡¡¡¡ loved your pictures, the baby and the letters¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
    happy new life and new year
    alinita

  42. Hurray! You’re back in the kitchen just as I knew you would. Yes, make sure you get enough sleep. Such beautiful photos, beautiful words, so much love…

  44. Je suis stupéfaite (et ravie) que tu arrives déjà à tout mener de front, bébé, cuisine, photo, recettes, wow ! Quel beau bébé et quels moments merveilleux malgré le manque de sommeil. Lulu sera tout attendrie plus tard en lisant les archives de La Tartine gourmande… Je me réjouis déjà de la voir grandir sur ton blog au milieu des cupcakes et des petits plats mitonnés ! MC

  45. Your baby is so beautiful and you are an inspiration! This makes me feel even more excited about my baby’s arrival in a few weeks’ time–and hopeful that maybe I will still be able to do some of the same things I enjoy doing now, as you are! 🙂

  46. I am weeping! So beautiful! I have 4 almost grown babies, and this takes me back to those sweet moments…she is gorgeous! Enjoy every second…they fly by!

  47. Lulu is absolutely gorgeous! Your happiness really shines through here. And I love that white wool hoodie she has on, too cute! Oh, and the cupcakes look real tasty, but this post is clearly all about the baby.

  48. Darling Bea, I didn’t want to swamp you even more, but how can one resist? Little Lulu is just divine. You must both be so very happy, and overwhelmed, and tired, and thrilled and not too sure what to feel at what time. Brilliant for you! Wonderful. Wishing you nothing but the best. May these days you have now make only the best memories for the future.

  50. bea, i also started cooking loads when i had the little one, after a very busy life in advertising it was like i somehow could pursue my passion without shame… and at my leisure! i started thepassionatecook when max was barely four months old and in this first year, published a recipe almost every day. (my photography and styling skills left much to be desired, though, but it was a start!)
    glad to hear i am going to be enjoying your recipes and pictures despite your new duties as a maman 😉

  51. Congratulations! Lulu and mom are both beauties and it’s lovely to see you enjoying this wondrous time.

  53. Vous etes tous les 3 tout beau!! The cupcakes are so good looking too and love the snowflakes sprinkles next to the snow outside!

  54. First of all, I would like to say congratulations and welcome to your little bebe! Will she speak french someday, too? Elle est tres petite!

    And second, I have fallen in love with your house (I saw it as a sneak peak on design*sponge) and i’d REALLY like to paint my living room the same colour as yours. can you share with me what colour this is? yellowy-green can be such a dangereuse coleure because it can go wrong in so many ways! Hope to hear from you soon… i’d like to buy the paint this friday… i’m so excited!

  55. merci de nous faire partager ces moments de bonheur et de douceur.
    Quel beau cadeau tu nous fais!

  56. Il y a de l’amour dans ces photos.
    C’est vraiment très gentil à vous de partager ces beaux moments avec nous.

  57. I used to photograph flowers every spring and summer until that one summer when my first grandson arrived.Now flowers don’t hold a candle to my 3 little grandsons beautiful little faces..
    Your Little Lulu will be forever your very favorite model now.
    It’s so nice to visit your blog..I used to come for the inspiration…now it gives me goosebumps with Lulu.
    Beautiful beautiful photos.

  58. It’s amazing how the moment you become a mother, everything in you becomes – MORE. Your passions are stronger, your senses are more enhanced. I look forward to seeing all the wonderful things that are the product of your motherhood!

    The last shot of you with Lulu is so sweet – I absolutely love it! They are all wonderful, of course, but that one is just so endearing!

  59. Fantastic Bea! Lovely is Lulu, in this blanc chaperon! ;-)) and you so sweet!
    You’re great to find time and energie for everything! Congratulations ;-))

  60. Je n’ai pas encore eu l’occasion de vous feliciter. Lulu is a lucky baby! And it seems you are too. Every day and phase are wonderful and unique with a baby. My little Cedric turned 7 months yesterday and we continue to enjoy every moment.

  61. Ces photos dégagent tant d’amour Bea, je suis vraiment contente pour vous…! On est à la fois très fatiguée le début mais on découvre aussi l’energie incroyable qu’on ne connaissait pas en soi, je trouve ça assez magique! Encore félicitaion et profitez chaque instant!

  63. Hi I was wondering whether hazelnut flour is the same as hazelnut meal? Thank you.

  64. This is really a beautiful post, the gorgeous black and white outdoor photos, the muffins which look so delicious and such a happy family! You and your husband are so obviously smitten with Lulu, and she is just gorgeous, too. Congratulations again! And glad to see you continuing to cook!

  65. Oh the muffins are so cute <3 Almost as cute as L. But just almost.

  66. Vos photos sont toujours aussi belles, la neige magnifique (oh, la Pennsylvanie me manque!), vos recettes toujours aussi appétissantes et si bien mises en valeur, et toute la famille si photogénique !

  67. Tu réussis les bébés aussi bien que les cupcakes ou vice et versa, en tout cas félicitations pour l’arrivée de cette petite lulu et je vous souhaite à tous les trois une très belle année 2009 !

  68. It’s true what Dee at Sweet Scarlet says, the feeling of happiness and the love comes through the post. Well done all around. And she really IS beautiful, wow.

  69. I just adore your blog. And your daughter is absolutely gorgeous, congratulations. The pictures are lovely as well.

  70. Salut Béa! What lovely images of yours, the three of you, and the snowy landscape and the muffins…it’s really wonderful how you depict your new life, feelings and experiencies, it seems that everything’s flowing smoothly in the best of ways. Please, keep on sharing with us those magical moments, so peacefully and beautifully described, merci et grosbizou, Nat 😉

  72. Many thanks everyone for your kinds words. Once again, I will say it, they really touch us. Lulu is 2 weeks old today, and I cannot imagine what it was like before she arrived in this world. Life has changed so much, in so many better ways — expect the sleep deprivation 😉

    As to the recipe, yes hazelnut flour is hazelnut meal. Different ways to refer to this ingredient.

  73. such lovely pictures, thanks for sharing. My heart is overwhelmed…. 🙂

  74. She`s wonderful. Enjoy this fantastic period with your new familymember. All the best…..Hege

  75. This is eye candy extraordinaire! Lulu, you, AND the food! Thank you. All the best.

  77. What sensational photos … such peace, love, and joy to see your family so happy! And, the cupcakes … like you said, the visual appeal is fantastic! Thanks for sharing that recipe and so glad your family is doing so well. 🙂

  83. Comme elle est belle! C’est divin de creer une nouvelle vie! Je vous souhaite tout le bonheur du monde! Soyez heureux!

  85. Beautiful, all around. Thanks for the marvelous recipe inspiration – I will be trying an egg-free, agave sweetened version of the muffin – I’ll let you know how it works out!

  86. lulu has very nice eye brows.. and very beautifull photos, you and your baby look great..

  88. I’am a Chinese girl and now is 10:20 a.m. . I stay in Macau now. Actually, I just wanna say you have a very lovely baby, bless your baby and your family

  92. Congratulations Bea! The photo of you and Lulu facing each other is heartbreakingly beautiful. I was a bit like you when my daughter was born. I ended up cooking quite a bit, taking advantage of the time I had at home, away from work. It’s important to continue to make time for the things that make us happy.

  96. bienvebue a la belle lulu..j’espere qu’elle sera tres gourmande parce qu’ici elle est bien tombee..
    beaucoup de belles choses et bisous

  97. Hello! I am a new follower to your blog, and I am absolutely amazed at your photography. Simply amazing . . . I recently started my own blog, which is definitely a work in progress. I wanted to ask your advice in gaining followers and improving the quality of my blog. Also what kind of camera do you use? Thanks for your great site, really enjoy it! Congratulations on your new bundle of joy.

    Kristen
    mytastytravels.blogspot.com

  98. Congratulations Bea! I just saw this and love your site as always – and now you have a new little one! All the best to you and P and L – –

  100. tes photos tout en pudeur et douceur sont un hymne à la maternité! Quelle beauté et joie il en ressort… j’en suis toute émue!

  103. You do an amazing work. Everything is beautiful and harmonious! Congratulations on your baby! I wish you more success, happiness and prosperity! 🙂

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  107. Oh! I’m probably the last to say it, but benvenuta, piccola principessa! I wish you and your new family every happiness.

  108. Bea- These photographs and sweet words are beautiful, as is little Lulu. Cherish each moment- I know you are. Blessings and love xox Karina

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